Tuesday, March 3: University Closing at 7 p.m.

Due to expected storm conditions, the University will close at 7 p.m. this evening. All classes starting at or after 7 p.m. are canceled. Individual professors may opt to conduct classes or provide assignments online when the campus is closed, so students should check Blackboard and their email to learn of any alternate arrangements. snow closing guide

University Libraries will close at 7 p.m. tonight. The University Commons dining facility, Subway, the Village Market, and the Hawk's Nest will be open normal hours tonight. All other dining locations will close at 6 p.m.

All Hartt Community Division activities after 3 p.m. today are canceled.

AntiVirus Requirement

Effective immediately, all Windows and Macintosh computers connected to the University Network (via ResNet, dial-up, or wireless) must be running up-to-date antivirus software. If you don't have an update antivirus, you can download a free one from the websites listed on the right (please note these links are provided as a courtesy and the University assumes no responsibility for the content or software on the website).

A virus turns an infected computer into a weapon that attacks the network, slowing down or halting the University’s connection to the Internet as it tries to spread itself. You have, no doubt, heard about the many computer viruses as they are reported in the news. You have certainly felt the effects of numerous virus-infected computers on campus if you have accessed the Internet and found the performance to be slow. It is your responsibility, and a condition of connecting to the network, to maintain your computer in such a manner that it does not harm the network.

As a condition of being connected to the University’s network:

Your computer must be kept up-to-date with the latest software security updates.

Your computer must have up-to-date antivirus software installed

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOUR COMPUTER IS INFECTED WITH A VIRUS

Your network port will be turned off to prevent your computer from further harming the network or other computers. DO NOT MOVE YOUR COMPUTER TO ANOTHER PORT IF YOURS STOPS WORKING. Call the Computer Support Center at x5999.

Your network port may remain off for several days after you have your computer cleaned, updated, or rebuilt if it’s over a weekend, otherwise most often network connectivity is restored within 24hrs.

You will have to take your computer to the Computer Support Center to show that you have successfully cleaned, updated, and protected it, or to get assistance performing the process. This is required for your port to be scheduled to be turned on.

BE AWARE THAT

It is far easier to prevent a virus infection than it is to recover from one. SAVE YOURSELF THE HASSLE – UPDATE AND PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER NOW.

It is inconvenient to be without your network connection in your dorm room.

It is far more work to fix a computer once it has been disconnected from the network.

Once a computer is infected, it can take as long as 8 hours to disinfect, update, and protect it. If you take your computer to the Computer Support Center for help, you must stay with your computer as the Support Center staff assists you with the repair process. This is a long, boring process

Not all viruses can be detected or removed. There is no guarantee that the computer will be completely virus free after repairing it. If your computer shows signs of still being infected by harming the network, your network port will be turned off again. Generally, at this point, the computer must be completely rebuilt using the vendor’s “system recovery” CDs.

The Computer Support Center is NOT a computer repair depot where you can drop off your computer to be fixed. The Computer Support Center can assist you in repairing your own computer. You can opt to take your computer to a local computer store to have it repaired. Virus cleaning services typically start at about $100 plus the cost of the antivirus software (about $50). SAVE YOURSELF THE EXPENSE – UPDATE AND PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER NOW.

If you use the wireless network system, there is no “port” to turn off if your computer is attacking the network – we must disable your University of Hartford account.

All computers, including those owned by the University are disconnected from the network if found to be attacking it with a virus – this procedure does not just apply to students.

No antivirus system is 100% perfect – there is still a remote chance that your computer could be infected by a fast acting virus that spreads before the antivirus vendors have updated definitions to stop it. However, the University’s experience with its faculty/staff antivirus system shows that such incidences are very rare to date.